Shoulder Work sign

What to do

Stay in your lane, slow down and avoid the shoulder.

Stay in your lane, slow down and, if you can safely do so, move one lane away from the workers on the shoulder.

Where it's used

Section 6H.22 says Shoulder Work signs warn of maintenance, construction or utility work on the shoulder where the travel lanes are still open. The black-on-orange diamond must read SHOULDER WORK (W21-5), RIGHT (LEFT) SHOULDER CLOSED (W21-5a) or the same with XX FT or AHEAD (W21-5b). On freeways the SHOULDER CLOSED versions should be used after a ROAD WORK AHEAD sign, and on other roads SHOULDER WORK may be used alone or with ROAD WORK signs.

Don't confuse it with

• Right (Left) Lane Closed Ahead: LANE CLOSED AHEAD means a travel lane is shut, while with shoulder work all travel lanes stay open.
• Soft Shoulder: The yellow SOFT SHOULDER sign warns of a permanent soft shoulder, not work on it.
• Workers: The Workers sign warns of people in or near the road in general.